Victoria's Secret Angel

Twentyeight

(Tony's POV)

The dreadfully long car ride finally comes to an end. I open the door and pull Kendal out with me. Many important people shuffle in and out of the hotel. I squeeze Kendal's hand as I guide her inside, fighting the urge to drag her and cause a scene.

I don't look at her the whole way up. I feel as if I am going to break down any second. The stress of running a company is hard enough, but now seeing the girl I love in another man's arms? It's the breaking point of my sanity.

As soon as the door to the hotel room shuts, I let go of her hand and knot my hands in my hair, nearly pulling it out. I pace back and forth as I try and steady my breathing.

"Tony..." Kendal starts.

I hold a hand out in front of her face and shake my head. "No. Not yet. I'm not ready," I say sternly. Letting out a heavy sigh, I collapse on the couch and hold my head in my hands.

"God, Tony, just let me explain!" she pleads. I remain silent as an okay for her to go on. "I'm so sorry for what I did and want you to know that I regret it. So much. But I also want you to know how lonely I've been feeling the last few months. I feel as if you isolated yourself from me. I've been having second thoughts about this relationship and about your feelings for me. Maybe I'm selfish. I admit that I don't account for all the stress you've been under. But, God, Tony you have to communicate with me! What would have happened if I didn't come here? Huh? Honestly, I don't think we would have made it. But I guess either way would have the same outcome."

"I wouldn't have abandoned you!" I yell. "I would have come back for you!"

"I'm patient but I'm not crazy, Tony. Girls don't sit back and wait for men anymore, you should know that," she exclaims bitterly.

I curse myself for being so stupid. I know how unfair I was being towards her. I should have taken the time to call her and explain everything that was going on. But she cheated on me, so shouldn't she be the one to blame?

"Maybe you coming here was a mistake," I say in a hushed and rigid tone.

Her eye brows furrow and her eyes become glassy. She stares at me for a second before saying, "What?"

"I said, maybe you coming here was a mistake!" I yell, facing her full on. "Maybe all of this was a mistake!"

Her hand slaps me hard against my cheek. My head whips to the side on impact. I stand there for a second stunned.

Kendal's chest is rising up and down, her hand shaking. Tears are running down her cheeks in constant streams. "Don't forget who started this. You were the one who dragged me to California!"

I rub my cheek and shrug. "What do you want me to say? Sorry? I didn't know any of this would happen. I didn't know how hard I would fall for you!" I exclaim. My chest aches as much as my cheek. I hate fighting with her like this. But she hurt me and I can't hold it in.

"Well you have a funny way of showing how much you care."

"And what? You're better at it?" I scoff. "You're the one who kissed another guy."

She groans loudly and throws her head back in disbelief. "Yes Tony. I admit I was feeling lonely and found comfort in someone else's arms. I thought we already established that. I'm so-rry!" she exaggerates the last part, holding out her hands in front of her.

"Yeah, well you know what Kendal, it still fucking hurts!"

We stay silent. I stare at Kendal. She looks away and covers her mouth, more tears falling out of her eyes.

Is it her fault? It is, right...but maybe it's my fault. I fight back and forth with myself, having this overwhelming feeling that I'm the problem. I wasn't strong enough for Kendal. Maybe I'll never be strong enough for her.

I press my palms against my temples and fall back onto the couch. "God, my father was right..." I murmur to myself.

"What?" Kendal asks, her voice small.

I shake my head, "nothing." Although I don't think it's nothing. My father's voice always echoes in the back of my head whenever I start doubting myself. His harsh words bounce back and forth, making me feel as worthless as I am.

All of a sudden Kendal is kneeling by my side, her hand on my cheek. I slowly look at her. Her eyes are full of worry as she studies me. "What was your father right about?" she asks carefully.

I can tell she already has an idea. Although we haven't known each other for long, we really understand each other.

I let go of a sob, releasing all of the pent up frustration. "I can't do anything right. I can't even do right for you."

"Oh Tony..." She presses her forehead against mine. "Your father has nothing to do with this. It's between you and me, whatever he said about you doesn't matter. Okay?"

I slowly nod. Kendal's right. I try to control my quick breaths and suppress all the terrible things my father has said to me.

"Tony, I am so sorry," she says sincerely. I slide my shaky arms around her waist and hold her to me. I lay my head on her chest. She wraps her arms around me and places her chin on my head. "Shh..." she says as she rubs my hair.

We stay like that for what seems like hours before my phone starts ringing. I sigh, releasing my arms front Kendal to get my phone out from my pocket. I clear my throat and give Kendal an apologetic look. "Hello?" I answer. This better be important.

"Tony! Where the hell are you? Did you forget about the finance meeting?" John, another business associate of mine, yells from the other side of the line.

I curse under my breath and put down the phone to think for a second. I glance at Kendal, who gives me a pleading look. With that, I know that it's time to start balancing work with Kendal. At this moment Kendal is more important. I put the phone back over my ear. "Reschedule the meeting. I'm preoccupied right now," I say as assertive as I can. "...No I cannot, it's important." I hang up, ignoring an angry and screaming John.

Kendal breaks in a huge smile and sits next to me on the couch, her arms winding around me. She rests her head on my shoulder. "Can you ever forgive me?" She asks hopefully.

I lightly kiss the top of her head and return her embrace. "I would be a fool not to."

************

Small update....

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